Power policy manager unable to set active policy access is denied

Are you logged on as administrator?

Hello Tarnett708,

You have to log on to the computer by using an account that has Administrator privileges.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307066/en-us

Hope this helps

If you'd like to change this behavior and be able to change this setting even when using a Limited account then you should do this:

1. Log on to the computer with an account that has Admin rights.
2. Start -> Run -> Regedt32  (Click OK)
3. Look for the following keys and give full privileges to the user account you want to be able to change this settings

 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ControlsFolder\
PowerCfg\GlobalPowerPolicy

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ControlsFolder\
PowerCfg\PowerPolicies

Refer to : http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin/browse_thread/thread/967761e86d86a63b/efb17b2de792b1f1?lnk=st&q=policy+manager+unable+to+set+active+policy&rnum=5&hl=en#efb17b2de792b1f1

5. To give permissions right click on each of the above mentioned keys -> permissions -> Add -> Type user account name -> OK -> Select user account from the list -> Select Allow Full Control -> OK.

Now you'd be able to login with the user account that has limited rights and change the Power settings.